Associate Vice-President (Human Resources)

The University of Manitoba (“UM”), located in Winnipeg, is known for its strong commitment to academic excellence and research innovation. Founded in 1877, it is Western Canada's first university and remains one of the region's most comprehensive educational centers. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, attracting students from diverse backgrounds and cultures. With a focus on fostering critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills, the University of Manitoba equips its graduates with the knowledge and expertise to succeed in their chosen fields.

Beyond academics, the UM is renowned for its vibrant campus life and strong sense of community. Students have access to a wealth of extracurricular activities, including over 200 student clubs, recreational sports, and cultural organizations that celebrate the university’s diversity. The institution also prioritizes student well-being through comprehensive support services such as academic advising, mental health resources, and career development programs. With modern facilities like the Active Living Centre and the state-of-the-art libraries, UM provides an enriching environment where students can grow both academically and personally.

In addition to its dynamic campus culture, the UM is a leader in research and innovation. It is home to world-class research centers and institutes that address pressing global issues in fields such as healthcare, agriculture, and climate change. Faculty and students contribute groundbreaking discoveries that have a lasting impact on society. Strong partnerships with industry, government, and international institutions further enhance research opportunities and practical learning experiences. As a hub of knowledge and innovation, the University of Manitoba continues to drive progress and inspire the next generation of leaders.

To learn more, please visit the University’s website.

THE OPPORTUNITY:   ASSOCIATE VICE-PRESIDENT (HUMAN RESOURCES)
Reporting to the Vice-President (Administration) (“VPA”), the Associate Vice-President (Human Resources) (“AVP HR”) leads a multi-faceted team of professionals representing a diverse portfolio consisting of HR Client Services (Employee Wellness, Consulting, Immigration, Talent Management, & EDIA), Staff Relations (overseeing six bargaining units), Total Compensation and HR Systems (Compensation, Staff Benefits, HR Systems, and HR Service Centre), Learning, and Organizational Development and Organizational Excellence and Change Management.

The AVP HR is accountable for establishing the strategic direction of the HR unit and responsible for the leading the delivery of the university's overall HR strategy. Through a team of five Directors and 60 HR specialists, generalists, and administrative staff, and in alignment with the UM’s Strategic Plan: Momentum, they lead UM’s commitment to the development, implementation, operational effectiveness, and ongoing administration of HR programs and people-centered policies including direct service delivery. The focus of this work will involve transforming the HR function to drive UM’s commitment to empower staff, faculty, and students to thrive and succeed by creating a culture of belonging, well-being, and inclusion.

Working collaboratively with leadership, management, faculty and staff across the organization, they will provide leadership, guidance and counsel on a wide range of HR and labour relations (LR) issues while building and supporting a culture of mutual respect, positive relations, inclusivity and well-being.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a visionary leader to elevate and position human resources as a strategic partner to executive leadership and across the institution. The AVP HR should empower an engaged team of HR professionals to raise the bar in service excellence, as well as HR’s visibility and transparency. Setting a clear vision that aligns with and enables UM’s strategic direction, they will create clarity around HR’s value proposition and service model, leveraging a relational and collaborative approach to thrive in UM’s unique culture. The AVP HR should leverage a data-driven decision-making model to mitigate institutional risk and ensure HR programming is relevant and effective.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provides strategic direction for the University’s HR services, ensuring they are consistent in support of UM’s Strategic Plan, goals, core values, and education and supporting plans;
• Leverages a data-driven decision-making model to mitigate institutional risk and ensure HR programming is relevant and effective;
• Leads the development of an overall LR strategy consistent with and in support of UM’s priorities;
• Ensures that the HR Unit provides services and develops practices that create an environment which attracts, retains, and motivates employees;
• Fosters a culture of service excellence in HR, optimizing the structure to ensure consistent service;
• Ensures institutional compliance with collective agreements, as well as legal and government obligations;
• Ensures that UM is in a position to respond to new and emerging trends in HR and LR;
• Represents UM in provincial, regional, as well as national forums on HR and LR;
• Provides leadership, collaborates, and serves as a resource throughout the institution for diversity-related processes and programs, including an ongoing assessment of HR practices related to equity and fairness;
• Infuses Indigenization in HR policies and programs, and supports Indigenization across the institution;
• Leads by example, valuing differing perspectives and promoting effective conflict resolution;
• Co-develops university policies related to LR, equity and diversity, ethics and human rights, performance management, and recruitment and retention;
• Builds and maintains effective relationships with the UM’s bargaining units;
• Liaises with legal counsel on matters related to risk management, grievances, mediations, arbitrations, and liabilities; assumes leadership on behalf of the university in collective bargaining;
• Provides leadership for performance management and evaluation of faculty, staff, and administration;
• Leads in creating a culture that motivates and retains employees, including strategies in succession, people development and training, and feedback and recognition programs;
• Enhances workforce development, including leadership development and change management; and,
• Oversees and advises on the administration of employment contracts, salaries, and benefits.

THE PERSON:
While no one individual is an expert in all the areas of the AVP HR portfolio, the ideal candidate is a highly respected HR leader who will bring leadership, energy, and vision to this important portfolio. They should have a keen understanding of diverse institutional needs and are comfortable with taking a proactive approach in creating consultative partnerships. The AVP HR will have experience working in a unionized environment, overseeing in all aspects of labour relations - collective bargaining, grievances and arbitrations. They excel at leading large teams in a complex, multi-faceted environment and have a desire to 'raise the bar' of both the team's and the organization's performance. The AVP HR will play an integral role in the development and implementation of transformative initiatives underway at the University, including the transformation of the HR function itself. Given the collegial, decentralized governance structure that characterizes the university setting, the successful candidate must have a collaborative and consultative style of leadership, be willing to listen to alternate perspectives, and be skilled at encouraging dialogue around difficult issues.

Professional and Personal Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree in HR, organizational development, commerce, or a related field; preference for candidates with an applicable master’s degree (MPA, MBA, MIR, etc.);
• Eight+ years of progressively responsible HR and LR experience, or leadership within complex, unionized environments, preferably in the public sector and ideally in the post-secondary sector;
• Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation or its equivalent preferred;
• Transferrable experience in strategic planning, organizational change, and equity-focused leadership will enhance candidate profiles from non-traditional HR backgrounds and may be considered;
• Experience leading a service model that drives organizational strategy and culture;
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and Indigenization;
• Demonstrates strategic vision, creativity, and leadership abilities;
• Ability to consider HR programs, practices, and activities with a systems thinking approach;
• Experience with leading HR portfolio modernization and digital strategy implementation;
• Ability to handle sensitive matters with tact and discretion, build trust, and maintain confidentiality;
• Proven ability to work with stakeholders to effect change across functions at an organization-wide level;
• Demonstrates an understanding of the role that HR plays in broader university transformational change;
• Proven ability to develop strong, supportive relationships with HR professionals, other institutional areas, and external service providers, partners, and government ministries;
• Experience implementing LR best practices, appropriate to a unionized, public sector environment;
• Knowledge of employment standards, sectoral collective agreements, and bargaining practices; and,
• Experience with employee recruitment, development, retention, and performance management.

The University of Manitoba is committed to the principles of equity, diversity & inclusion and to promoting opportunities in hiring, promotion and tenure (where applicable) for systemically marginalized groups who have been excluded from full participation at the University and the larger community including Indigenous Peoples, women, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse sexual identities). All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

COMPENSATION:
A competitive compensation package will be provided including an attractive base salary and excellent benefits. Further details will be discussed in a personal interview.

To apply, please visit our website.              

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Robin Noftall or Tony Kirschner
LEADERS INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE SEARCH
#880—609 Granville Street
Vancouver, BC V7Y 1G5
Phone: (604) 688-8422    
Email: [email protected]